Battle of Waxhaws

The Battle of Waxhaws (29 May 1780) was an American Revolutionary War battle that was fought near Lancaster, South Carolina.

In 1780, Charles Cornwallis remained in South Carolina to roll up the rest of the American South after his superior, Henry Clinton, returned to New York City. In May of that year, Cornwallis was on the move when he learned that a small rebel force was a ten days' march away. Encumbered by his army, Cornwallis decided to send a young lieutenant-colonel, Banastre Tarleton, to attack the Americans. Tarleton and his men covered 105 miles in 54 hours, and, on 29 May, they caught Abraham Buford's column of 400 Virginians on flat ground with no cover. Buford refused an initial demand to surrender, but when his men were attacked by Tarleton's cavalry, many threw down their arms to surrender. However, Tarleton had his horse shot from under him, leading to Tarleton's British and loyalist troops falling upon the rebels. They killed several American troops, including many who offered no resistance. Of the 400 Continental Army troops, 113 were killed with sabers, 150 were critically injured and paroled, and 53 were taken as prisoners.

Tarleton was vilified as the result of the battle, and the term "Tarleton's Quarter" came to mean "take no prisoners". However, Tarleton had been trapped under his horse for most of the battle, and, after he was freed, he immediately ordered thorough medical treatment of American prisoners and wounded.